In a Category 2 space of a hospital, can isolated grounding receptacles be installed?

In a Category 2 space of a hospital, the installation of isolated grounding receptacles is not permitted. Category 2 areas, which are designated for patient care where the risk of electrical shock is a concern, have specific grounding and bonding requirements to ensure safety and maintain the integrity of the electrical system.

In these spaces, the focus is on protecting patients and minimizing the risk of electrical hazards. Standard wiring practices are strictly enforced to prevent any deficiencies that could lead to electrical shock, and isolated grounding receptacles do not meet the stringent safety standards required in such environments. The grounding methods must provide a reliable path for fault currents and ensure proper function of equipment used in direct patient care, and isolated grounding does not fulfill these needs adequately.

This is why the prohibition of isolated grounding receptacles is critical; it maintains the necessary level of safety and compliance in healthcare environments.